Reclining chair of the multiple position lounger type



July 2, 1963 p. s. FLETCHER RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE POSITIONLOUNGER TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 5, 1956 FIG.

INVENTOR.

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QTTOR E'VS July 2, 1963 p. s. FLETCHER 3,096,119

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE POSITION LOUNGER TYPE Original FiledAug. :5, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 5.

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ATTORNE Y! United States Patent 3,096,119 RECLINING CHAR 0F 'E'HEMULTlPLE POSITIGN LOUNGER TYPE Peter S. Fletcher, Delray Beach, Fla,assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 601,885, Aug. 3, 1956. This application July 14,1959, Ser. No. 827,065 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) The present inventionrelates to reclining chairs, and in particular to an improved recliningchair of the type including a body supporting means having a movablebackrest and movable seat which are coordinated with each other toinclude at least two distinct phases of chair movement. This is acontinuation of my earlier filed application Serial No. 601,885 filed onAugust 3, 1956, and entitled Movable Reclining Chair With Back-Rest,Seat and Leg Rest, now abandoned.

The well known reclining chair comprises a support, body-supportingmeans including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on the support, anda leg-rest mounted beneath the seat and movable into various elevatedlegsupportiug positions, with appropriate means coordinating theback-rest, seat and leg-rest for the requisite chair movement.Heretofore, there has been two distinct types of reclining chairs, thoseconstructed with a rigid bodysupporting unit including a unitaryback-rest and seat mounted on the support for movement into varioustilted positions and those chairs constructed with a movable bacl -restand movable seat mounted on the support for reclining and incliningmovement respectively. Chairs of the type incorporating a rigid orunitary seat and backrest unit were found to be most suitable foraccommodating the chair occupant in a tilted-back position, but in asitting attitude, with the occupants legs supported on the elevatedleg-rest. Such chairs are particularly suitable for accommodating thechair occupant in an attitude appropriate for television viewing,reading, sewing and like activities. Chairs of the type incorporating amovable backrest and movable seat are suitable for complete and fullrelaxation in that the angle between the back-rest and seat increases inresponse to the reclining movement of the chair to comfortablyaccommodate the chair occupant in a stretched out or fully reclinedattitude.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedreclining chair which exhibits attributes of both types of chairs whichhave been heretofore sold, to wit those suitable for accommodating thechair occupant in a tilted-back sitting attitude and those suitable foraccommodating the chair occupant in a fully reclined or completerelaxation attitude.

Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention toprovide an improved reclining chair wherein during a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition, during which there is substantially no angular displacementbetween the back-rest and seat, the leg-rest is moved to an elevatedleg-supporting position to establish the intermediate, tilted sittingposition; and in a second movement phase from the intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a fully reclined position, the angle between theseat and back-rest opens up, with the leg-rest remaining elevated, toestablish a complete relaxation or fully reclined attitude.

In such double movement reclining chairs, there usually is anappreciable rearward movement of the body-supporting means relative tothe chair frame or support during the first and second movement phasesof the chair. Such rearward movement may present a source of diificultyin that the center of gravity of the chair may move toward a positionclose to the rear legs of the chair frame, with the attendant risk thatthe chair may tip over when 3,996,119 Patented July 2, 1953 "iceoccupied. This diificulty may be remedied by the provision of a chairframe which is somewhat longer, when measured from front to rear, ascompared to the usual chair frame. However, from the standpoint offurniture design and esthetics, it is undesirable to increase suchoverall length of the chair frame.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to providean improved reclining chair of the double movement type which obviatesthe aforesaid difliculty. Specifically, it is within the contemplationof the present invention to provide a reclining chair of the doublemovement type wherein the body-supporting means has a comparativelysmall rearward movement and a correspondingly small rearwarddisplacement of the center of gravity thereof to thereby assurestability in an environment compatible with esthe-tic requirements forsuch chair.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features andadvantages of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chairwhich comprises a support, body-supporting means including a back-restand seat adapted to be mounted on the support for reclining andinclining movement respectively, and means movably mounting thebody-supporting means on the support for a first movement phase from asitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for asecond movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position toa reclining position. The mounting means includes first and secondguiding linkages for guiding the body-supporting means during movementbetween the sitting position and the intermediate, tilted sittingposition and between the tilted position and the reclined position. Thefirst guiding linkage includes the support as a stationary link thereof,an intermediate coordinating link and movable links including a pair oflinks serving as a rear guide means during the first movement phase. Thepair of links are arranged relative to each other such that there is arapid lowering of the rearward portion of the bodysupporting meansduring the first movement phase, thereby reducing the overall rearwardmovement of the bodysupporting means during the chair operation.Advantageously, the link pair may take the form of a straight linelinkage mechanism or a toggle linkage mechanism both of which moves thebody-supporting means downwardly with relatively little rearwarddisplacement during such downward movement.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention Will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of several presentlypreferred but illustrative embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away andsectioned, showing a reclining chair of the double movement typeembodying features of the present invention, with the chair shown in theupright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is aside elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing thereclining chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position, with theleg-rest moved to an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing thereclining chair in a fully reclined position wherein the seat andback-rest have been angularly displaced relative to each other toestablish a complete relaxation position for the chair occupant, withthe leg-rest disposed in an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified reclining chair of thedouble movement type, demonstrating further features of the presentinvention, with the chair shown in the uptight sitting position;

. supporting position as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chairin the intermediate, tilted sitting position; and,

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5 but showing thechair in the fully reclined or complete relaxation position.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there isshown a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention,generally designated by the reference numeral 10, which includes asupport or frame 12 having opposite side walls 14, 16 interconnected bysuitable cross braces 18 and supported on depending legs 20.

Body-supporting means including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24 are movablymounted on the support 12 for reclining and inclining movementrespectively for a first movement phase from the sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 2 and for a second movement phase from theintermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2 through aseries of reclining positions to the fully reclined position illustratedin FIG. 3. Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 24 is a leg-rest26 which is mounted for movement from a stored or retracted posi tion asshown in FIG. 1 to a first elevated leg-supporting position shown inFIG. 2 and to a further elevated leg- As will be described, the leg-rest26 is coordinated to the movement of the back-rest 22 and the seat 24for movement into the elevated leg-supporting position in response tothe first movement phase of the chair, with the leg-rest 26 remainingsubstantially in the elevated leg-supporting position as the chair movesfrom the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2 to thefully reclined position shown in FIG. 3. I

A mounting arrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral28, provides respective first and second linkages for guiding theback-rest 22 and the seat 24 during the first andsecond movement phasesof the reclining chair. Specifically, the mounting arrangement 28includes a first movement front guiding link 30 having a pivotal mount32 on the support 12, a second or rear guiding linkage 34 having apivotal mount 36 adjacent its lower end on the support 12 and anintermediate coordinating link 38 having respective pivotal connections40, 42 intermediate its ends to the upper ends of the front guiding link30 and .to the rear guiding linkage 34 respectively. Link 30, linkage 34and link 38 comprise a first linkage providing a guiding means for theseat 24 and the back-rest 22between'the sitting position of FIG. 1 andthe tilted position of FIG. 2, with the portion of the supportintermediate the pivotal mounts 32, 36' serving as, a stationary link ofthe first guiding linkage and with the front guiding link 39, theportion of the intermediate coordinating link 38' intermediate thepivotal connections 40, 42 andthe links of rear guiding linkage 34serving as the movable links of the first guiding linkage. For allintents and purposes during the first move ment phase the back-rest 22and the seat 24 may be considered to be unitary with the intermediatecoordinating link 38 and thus movable as a unitfwith the link 38 asthe'first linkage guides the body-supporting means.

Specifically, the rear guiding linkage 34 includes a first guiding link44 and a second guiding link 46 having their adjacent ends connected ata pivotal connection 48, with the first guiding link 44 having thepivotal mount 36' on the support 12 and the second guiding link 46having the pivotal connection 42 to the intermediate coordinating link38. In the upright or sitting position of the chair shown in'FIG. l-,the-links 44, 46 define an obtuse angle extends rearwardly fromthe link46-and has a pivotal In therdead center position the p connection 52 atits forward end to the link 46 intermediate the pivotal connections 42,48 and has a pivotal mount 54 on the support 12 at a point rearwardly ofthe links 44, 46. In response to the first movement phase, the rearwardmovement of the pivotal connection 42 relative to the pivotal mount 54of the constraining link causes the link pair 44-, 46 to move throughand past the dead center position, such that the links of the link pair44, 46 define progressively decreasing angles there- 'between. Duringthe initial movement of the-rear guiding linkage 34 from the positionillustrated in FIG. l to the dead center position, there is asubstantially horizontal and rearward :guiding action imparted to theback-rest 22 and seat 24; and after the rear guiding linkage 34 movesthrough the dead center position, there i a sharp lowering of therearward portion of the body-supporting means incident to the-continuedmovement through the first motion phase. By progressively inspectingFIGS. '1 and 2, it is observed that the body-supporting means is loweredat its rearward end, but is not appreciably displaced rearwardlyrelative to the chair frame or support 12. V

A cross brace 56 serving as a stop is positioned rearwardly of the link44 of the rear guiding linkage to establish the sitting position for thechair while the pivot 54 serves as a stop positioned below theintermediate coordinatinglink 38 and behind the rear guiding linkage 34in position to be abutted by the link 38 to establishthe end of thefirst movement phase and the intermediate, tilted sitting position asshown in FIG. 2.

The mounting arrangementZd further includes a second linkage providingguiding means for the back-rest 22 and the seat 24 during movementbetween the intermediate tilted sitting position and the variousreclining positions, with the second or further linkage including asecond movement front guiding link 6% having a pivotal mount at itslower end on the intermediate coordinating'link 38 coaxially with thepivotal connection 46 and a pivotal connection 62 to the seat contiguousto the forward end thereof, a rear guiding link 64 having a pivotalmount66 tion 72 at its rearward end to the backrest 22 at a point spacedbelow and rearwardly of the seat pivot 74 on the back-rest 22 providedby the hanger 76 rigid with the seat 24. In this embodiment, the secondguiding linkage includes the intermediate coordinating link 38 as thestationary link thereof and the back-rest 22 and seat 24 as movablelinksthereof; Specifically, the second guiding link-1 age comprises aseat control linkage including the portion of the link 38 intermediatethe pivotal mounts 40, 66 as the stationary link thereof and the frontguiding link' the portion of the seat 24'intermediate the pivotalconnections 62, 68, aud'the rear guiding link 64 as the movable linksthereof. The back-rest is coupled to the seat control linkage by thepivotal connection 74 on the seat and by the connecting =link 70, withthe portion of the back-rest intermediate the pivotal connections 74, 72and the connecting link serving as additional movable links of thesecond guiding linkage. Essentially the guided action of the seat duringthe second movement phase may be established to be independent of theguided action of the back-rest. The use of such separate butinterconnected linkages for the seat and back-rest controls respectivelyallows for greater flexibility in establishing the relative movementoft-he seat and back-rest to each other and to the support during thesecond phase of the chair movement.

supporting positions by a leg-rest mounting linkage including a firstpair of links 78, 80 having a pivotal connection 82 therebetween and asecond pair of links 84, 86 having a pivotal connection 88 therebetween.The links '78, 84 have pivotal mounts on the seat at 96, 62 while thelinks 80, 86 have spaced apart pivotal connections 92, 94 to theleg-rest 26. The link '78 crosses over the link 86 and at the cross-overpoint the link pairs 78, 8G and 84, 86 are interconnected at acoordinating pivot 96. The legrest mounting linkage is actuated by apusher link 98 having the coaxial pivotal connection 48 at its rearwardend to the rear guiding linkage 34 and a pivotal connection 99 at itsforward end to the leg-rest mounting linkage.

Accordingly, during the first movement phase and in response to theforward movement of the rear guiding linkage 34, the leg-rest 26 ismoved into the first elevated leg-supporting position; and in responseto the second phase of the reclining movement during which the rearguiding linkage 34 remains stationary and the pusher link 98 turns aboutits pivotal connection 48, the leg-rest 26 is moved somewhat furtherupwardly into a further elevated leg-supporting position for therequisite leg-supporting functions in the various reclined positions,including the fully reclined position of FIG. 3.

For a better understanding of the operation of my improved doublemovement type of chair, a typical se quence of operations will now bedescribed in detail.

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair 10 and leans against theback-rest 22, the front and rear guiding means 30, 34 of the firstlinkage turn about their respective pivotal mounts 32, 36 on the supportwith the backrest 22 and the seat 24 being maintained in a relativelyfixed relationship with respect to each other. The front and rearguiding means 30, 34 of the first linkage is arranged in relation to thefront and rear guiding means 60, 64 of the second linkage such that lesswork is required to bring about the actuation of the first linkage ascompared to the second linkage initially and until the first linkage isblocked against further movement. In this connection it is seen that thefront guiding link 30 of the first guiding linkage is inclined slightlyforwardly from a vertical position such that when a relatively smallforce is exerted against the back-rest 22, such force is sufficient tocause the pivot 40 to move past a vertical position relative to thepivotal mount 32 and into the limit position established by the stop 54which contacts the link 38. Simultaneously, the rear guiding linkage 34moves through and past the dead center position and rapidly drops therearward portion of the body-supporting means. The front and rearguiding links 60, 64 of the second linkage have a substantial forwardinclination such that there is a very pronounced tendency for the firstand second linkages to operate in the desired sequence. Incident to themovement of the first linkage, the body-supporting means moves to theintermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2, withsubstantially no change in the angular relationship between theback-rest 22 and the seat 24; and simultaneously the leg-rest 26 swingsforwardly about its pivotal mounts 90, 62 on the seat 24 due to theforwardly directed thrust imparted via the connecting link 98 to theleg-rest mounting linkage. When the intermediate coordinating link 38arrives at the position illustrated in FIG. 2 in abutment with the stop54, the link 38 thereafter becomes a stationary support to all intentsand purposes. As the chair occupant exerts further pressure against theback-rest 22, the chair may be moved from the intermediate, tiltedsitting position through a series of positions wherein the angle betweenthe seat and back-rest opens up into the fully reclined positions ofFIG. 3. During the second movement phase, the respective guidinglinkages for the back-rest and seat, which are coordinated to each otherbut which may be independently designed, may be arranged to impart arequisite inclining movement to the seat and reclining movement to theback-rest.

When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair to the uprightsitting position, the occupant merely leans forwardly whereupon thechair moves in the reverse direction through the second movement phaseinto the intermediate, tilted sitting position with the chair coming toa pronounced stop at such intermediate, tilted sitting position.Thereupon by applying pressure on the legrest, the chair may be resortedto the upright sitting position.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 to 6 of the drawings, there isshown a further embodiment of reclining chair demonstrating furtherfeatures of the present invention, generally designated by the referencenumeral 110, which includes a support or frame 112 having opposite sidewalls 114, 116 interconnected by one or more cross braces 118, 119 andsupported on depending legs.

Body-supporting means including a back-rest 122 and a seat 124 aremovably mounted on the support 112 for reclining and inclining movementrespectively for a first movement phase from the sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 4 to the intermediate, tilted sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 5 and for a second movement phase from theintermediate, tilted sitting position through a series of recliningpositions to the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 124 is a leg-rest 126 whichis mounted for movement from a stored or retracted position shown inFIG. 4 to successive elevated leg-supporting positions, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. As Will be described, the leg-rest 126 is coordinated tothe movement of the back-rest 122 and the seat 124 for movement into thesuccessive elevated leg-supporting positions in response to therespective first and second movement phases of the chair.

A mounting arrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral128, provides respective first and second guiding linkages for guidingthe movement of the back-rest 122 and the seat 124 in the requisiterelationship during the first and second movement phases of thereclining chair. Specifically, the mounting arrangement includes asubstantially horizontally disposed intermediate coordinating link 136having a pivotal mount 132 adjacent its forward end on the support.Disposed intermediate the rearward end of the intermediate coordinatinglink and the support is a rear guidin linkage, generally designated bythe reference numeral 134, which has a pivotal mount 136 on the support,and a pivotal connection 138 to the intermediate coordinating link 1330adjacent the rearward end thereof. The'rear guiding linkage 134 includesfirst and second guiding links 140, 142 having their adjacent endspivotally connected together at a knee pivot 144, with the links 140,142 being held in substantial end to end alignment with each other by areleasable locking arrangement to be described. The locking arrangementcoacts with a spring 146 having one end connected to the first guidinglink 140 and having its other end anchored on the support 112. The links130, 142 and 14% comprise a first guiding linkage for the back-rest 122and the seat 124 between the sitting position of FIG. 4 and theintermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, with the portion of the support112 intermediate the pivotal mounts 132, 136 serving as the stationarylink of the first guiding linkage, and with the intermediatecoordinating link 130 and the links 149, 142 of the rear guiding linkage134 serving as the movable links of the first guiding linkage. Duringsuch first movement phase there is a slight rearward movement of theback-rest 122 in relation to the seat 124, for a purpose to besubsequently described, but otherwise the back-rest 1'22 and the seatmay be considered to be unitary with the intermediate coordinating link1341 and moving as a unit therewith.

The first and second guiding links 149, 14-2 ofthe rear guiding linkage134 Will be recognized as providing a toggle linkage mechanism which,upon movement of the knee pivot 144 in a counter-clockwise directionabout the pivotal mount 136 and out of its position of alignment withthe pivotal mount 136 and the pivotal connection 138, will cause a rapidrearward lowering of the rear portion of the body-supporting means, withthe intermediate cordinating link 130 turning in the clockwise directionabout its pivotal mount 132.

The mounting arrangement 128 further includes a second guiding linkagefor the back-rest 122and seat 124 operable during the movement betweenthe intermediate tilted position of FIG. and the various reclinedpositions including the final reclined position of FIG. 6. The secondguiding linkage includes a depending front guiding link 148 having apivotal mount 156 at its upper end on the intermediate link 130 at apoint spaced rearwardly of the pivotal mount 132 of the intermediatecoordinating link 130 and an upwardly inclined connecting -link152having a pivotal connection 154 adjacent its lower end at anintermediate point on the depending front guiding link 1148 and having apivotal connection 156 at its upper end to the seat 124. The seat 124 isrigidly connected to a horizontally-extending seat carrier link 158which has a pivotal mount 1611 at its rearward end to the rearward endof the intermediate coordinating link 13% providing a seat pivot. Theseat carrier link or member 158 normally rests on a rigid stop orabutment 162 projecting upwardly from the forward end of theintermediate coordinating link 130. As may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. 4 to 6 inclusive, during the firstmovement phase there is no relative movement between the intermediatecoordinating link 134) and the carrier link 158 and during the secondmovement phase the carrier link 158 turns in the clockwise directionabout its pivotal mount 160 on the intermediate coordinating link .130,with the latter remaining substantially stationary and in the positionestablished by the contact of the rearward end of the intermediatecoordinating link with the rear brace 119 serving as a stop to establishthe end of the first movement phase for the reclining chair. V

The back-rest 122 is mounted at a back-rest pivot 164 on an integralupward extension 166 on the seat carrier link 158 at a point spacedforwardly and above the pivotal mount 160 of the link 158 on theintermediate coordinating link 130. The back-rest 122 is provided with adepending rigid extension 168 which carries a rearwardly projectinglocking member or arm 17%! having a latch piece 172 which is adapted tobe engaged behind the knee pivot 144 of the first and second rearguiding links 140, 142 in the upright or sitting position of the chair.The arm 170 and the latch piece 172 comprise a releasable lockingarrangement which in response to the initial reclining movement of theback-rest 122 about the back-rest pivot 164 is effective to urge theknee pivot 144 forwardly out of the in-line position to initiate theoperation of the first guiding linkage. The depending extension 163 ofthe back-rest 122 is coupled via a lost motion connection including apin 174 on the depending extension 168 engaged within a slot 176provided in a connecting link 178, to the second guiding linkage. Theconnecting link 178" has a pivotal connection 180 at its forward end tothe depending front guiding link 148 of the second, guiding linkage. Inresponse to the initial reclining movement of the back-rest 122, the pin174 of the lostmotion connection moves through its lost motion travel,which is determined by the length of the slot 176 and is effective todelay the operative connection of the back-rest 122 to the secondguiding linkage. The releasable locking means 170, 172, which unlocksthe first guiding linkage during the initial reclining movement of theback-rest 122 in the first movement phase of the reclining chair, serveswith the lost motion connection 174, 176 as a sequencing arrangement forestablishing the operation 'of the first and second guiding linkage inthe order named. V

In this illustrative embodiment, the leg-rest 126 is mounted formovement into the various elevated leg-supporting positions on adependinghanger 182 having a V ating arrangement is completed by anactuating link 186 1 which extends downwardly aud tor-wardly from itsupper end to its lower end, with the constraining link 186 having apivotal mount 188 adjacent its upper end on the support 112 and apivotal connection 1% adjacent its lower end to the hanger 182. Duringthe first and second movement phases of the chair, and in response tothe rearward movement of the seat 124 and the leg-rest mounting pivot184 relative to the stationary pivotal mount 188, the actuating link 186is effective to cause the leg-rest 126 to turn in theclockwise'direction about its movable pivotal mount 184 such that theleg-rest moves to the elevated leg-supporting positions shownrespectively in FIGS. 5 and 6. The disclosed leg-rest mountingarrangement is described and claimed in application Serial No. 35,674filed June 13, 1960, in the name of the inventor herein.

reclining chair, a typical sequence of operation will be described indetail. 7

When the chair occurpant is seated in the chair 110 and leans againstthe back-rest 122, the initial reclining movement of the back-rest 122turns the extension 168 in the clockwise direction about the back-restpivot 164 such that the latch piece 172 pushes forwardly against theknee pivot 144 thereby actuating the rear guiding linkage 134 and movingthe same out of the alignment position shown in FIG. 4. As the rearwardportion of the body-supporting means 122, 124 drops as a result of theactuation of the first guiding linkage during the first movement phase,the pin 174 completes its lost motion travel along the slot 176 toeffectively complete the operative connection between the back-rest andthe links of the second guiding linkage, with the intermediate corestagainst the rear cross brace 119 serving as a stop.

When the intermediate coordinating link 13% arrives at the positionillustrated in FIG. 5, the intermediate coordinating link becomes astationary support for the second, guiding linkage. As the chairoccupant exerts further pressure against the back-rest 122, thebody-supporting means may be moved from the intermediate, tilted sittingposition through a series of reclining positions during which the anglebetween the backrest-122 and the seat 124 opens up until the fullyreclined position of FIG. 6 is reached. During the second movementphase, the seat 124 rigid Withthe carrier link 158 turns about thepivotal mount 16$ serving as the seat pivot while the back-rest 122turns about the back-rest pivot 164 on the extension 166 on the carrierlink 158. The seat control portion of the second guiding linkage iseffective to increase the angle between the back-rest 122 V tionthroughthe second movement phase into the intermediate,.tilted sitting positionof FIG. 5, with the chair coming toa pronounced stop at theintermediatqtilted sitting position.

is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances somefeatures of'the invention will be employed with a corresponding use ofother features. Accordingly it is appropriate'that the appended claimsbe construed broadly and m a manner consistent withthe spirit and scopeof the invention herein. 1 a

When pressure is exerted on the legrest 126 of the chair, the chairmoves in the reversedireotron through the first movement phase and isrestored to 1 What I claim is:

1. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position, said first linkageincluding said support as a stationary link thereof, an intermediatecoordinating link and movable links including a pair of links serving asa rear guide means, said pair of links being pivotally connectedtogether at a knee pivot, means pivotally mounting one of said links ofsaid pair on said support and means pivotally connecting the other ofsaid links of said pair to said intermediate coordinating link, saidsecond linkage including said intermediate coordinating link as thestationary link thereof and said seat and back-rest as movable linksthereof and means operatively connecting said intermediate coordinatinglink to said body-supporting means.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, titlted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position, said first linkageincluding said support as a stationary link thereof, an intermediatecoordinating link and movable links including a pair of links serving asa rear guide means and having a dead center position in substantialalignment with each other, said pair of links being pivotally connectedtogether at a knee pivot and arranged at one side of said dead centerposition in said sitting position of said bodysupporting means, meanspivotally mounting one of said links of said pair on said support andmeans pivotally connecting the other of said links of said pair to saidintermediate coordinating link, said pair of links moving through andpast said dead center position during said first movement phase, saidsecond linkage including said intermediate coordinating link as thestationary link thereof and said seat and back-rest as movable linksthereof and means operatively connecting said intermediate coordinatinglink to said body-supporting means.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position,'said first linkage including said support as a stationary link thereof, an intermediatecoordinating link and movable links including a pair of links serving asa rear guide means, and arranged in substantial alignment with eachother in said sitting position of said body-supporting means, said pairof links being pivotally connected together at a knee pivot, meanspivotally mounting one of said links of said pair on said support andmeans pivotally connecting the other of said links of said pair to saidintermediate coordinating link, said pair of links moving out ofalignment during said first movement phase, said second linkageincluding said intermediate coordinating link as the stationary linkthereof and said seat and back-rest as movable links thereof.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition during which there is no appreciable relative angulardisplacement between said back-rest and seat and for a second movementphase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a recliningposition during which there is angular displacement between saidback-rest and said seat, the mounting means including a firstconstrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means for movementbetween said sitting position and said intermediate, tilted sittingposition and second constrained linkage for guiding said body-supportingmeans for movement between said intermediate, tilted sitting positionand said reclining position, said first linkage including said supportas a stationary link thereof, an intermediate coordinating link and apivotally interconnected link pair serving as a rear guide means andhaving one link of said pair pivotally connected [to said intermediatecoordinating link and the other link of said pair pivotally connected tosaid support, said second linkage means including said intermediatecoordinating link as the stationary link thereof and said seat andback-rest as movable links thereof.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition during which there is no appreciable relative angulardisplacement between said back-rest and seat and for a second movementphase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a recliningposition during which there is angular displacement between saidback-rest and said seat, the mounting means including a firstconstrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means for movementbetween said sitting position and said intermediate, tilted sittingposition and second constrained linkage for guiding said body-supportingmeans for movement between said intermediate, tilted sitting positionand said reclining position, said first linkage including said supportas a stationary link thereof, an intermediate coordinating link and apivotally interconnected link pair serving as a rear guide means andhaving one link of said pair pivotally connected to said intermediatecoordinating link and the other link of said pair pivotally connected tosaid support, said link pair having a dead center position wherein thelinks thereof are in substantial end to end alignment and being arrangedat an obtuse angle at one side of said dead center position when saidbody-supporting means is in said sitting position, said link pair movingthrough and past said dead center position during said first movementphase with the angle between the links of said link pair decreasingafter passing said dead center position to cause a rapid lowering of therearward portion of said bodysupporting means. V I I 6. A recliningchair comprising a support, a body supporting means including aback-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support for recliningand inclining movemen-t respectively, and means movably mounting saidbody-supporting means on said support for a first movement phase from asitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position duringwhich there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between saidback-rest and seat and for a second movement phase from saidintermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position duringwhich there is angular displacement between said backrest and said seat,the mounting means including a first constrained linkage for guidingsaid body-supporting means for movement between said sitting positionand said intermediate, tilted sitting position and second constrainedlinkage for guiding said body-supporting means for movement between saidintermediate, tilted sitting position and said reclining position, saidfirst linkage including said support as a stationary link thereof, anintermediate coordinating link and a link pair serving as a rear guidemeans and including links pivotally connected at a knee pivot and havingone link pivotally connected to said intermediate coordinating link andthe other link pivotally connected to said support, the links of saidpair of links being arranged in substantial end to end alignment whensaid body-supporting means is in said sitting position, said link .pairbreaking at said knee pivot during the'initial portion of said firstmovement phase and moving into successive angular positions during theremaining portion of said first movement phase to rapidly lower therearward portion of said body-supporting means.

7. A reclining chair comprising a support, body supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position, said first linkageincluding said support as a stationary link thereof, an intermediatecoordinating link and movable links, said second linkage includingsaid'intermediate coordinating link as the stationary link thereof andsaid seat and back-rest as movable links thereof, the movable links ofone of said linkages including a pair of links serving as a rear guidemeans, said pair of links being pivotally connected together at a kneepivot and being movable to movement phase from a sitting position to anintermedi ate, tilted sitting position and for a second movement phasefrom said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position,the mounting means including a first constrained linkage for guidingsaid body-supporting means during movement between said sitting positionand said intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage for guiding said body-supporting means during movement betweensaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and said reclining position,and rear guiding means as part of one of said constrained linkages andoperative during one of said movement phases to cause a rapid loweringof therearward portion of said bodysupporting means with a relativelysmall rearward displacement of said body-supporting means.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting'means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position, and rear guiding means aspart of one of said constrained linkages and operative during one ofsaid movement phases to cause a rapid lowering of the rearward portionof said bodysupporting means with a relatively small rearwarddisplacement of said body-supporting means, said rear guide meansincluding a pair of links pivotally interconnected and having a positionin aligment with each other when said body-supporting means is in saidsitting position, said pair' of links moving out of said position ofalignment through successive positions at progressively smaller acuteangles during said one of saidmovement phases.

10. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-sup porting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclining position, and rear guidmgmeans aspart of one of said constrained linkages and operative during one ofsaidmovement phases to cause a rapid lowering of the rearward portion ofsaid body-supporting means with a relatively small rearward displacementof said body-supporting means, said rear guide means including astraight line linkage mechanism having a pair of links arranged todefine an obtuse angle therebetween at one side of a dead centerposition wherein the links of said pair are in alignment with each otherwhen said body-supporting means is in said sitting position, and aconstraining link pivotally connected to a link of said link pair ofmoving said link pair through and past said dead center position inresponse to movement of said body-supporting means during said one ofsaid movement phases.

A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means includinga back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted ionysaid support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from saidrintermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclin ing position, the mounting means includinga first constrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting meansduring movement between. said sitting position and said intermediatetilted sit-ting position and a second constrained linkage for guidingsaid body-supporting means during movement between said intermediate,tilted sitting position and said reclining position, and rear guidingmeans as part of one of said constrained linkages and operative duringone of said movement phases to cause a rapid lowering of the rearwardportion of said body-supporting means with a relatively small rearwarddisplacement of said body-supporting means, said rear guide meansincluding a toggle mechanism having a pair of links arranged insubstantial alignment with each other, means for blocking movement ofsaid pair of links in one direction out of alignment with each other,and means for moving said pair of links in the opposite direction inresponse to movement of said body-supporting means during said one ofsaid movement phases.

12. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means :on said support for a firstmovement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tiltedsitting position and for a second movement phase from said intermediate,tilted sitting position to a reclining positon, the mounting meansincluding a first constrained linkage providing a first guiding meansfor said body-supporting means during movement between said sittingposition and said intermediate, tilted sitting position, a secondconstrained linkage providing a second guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and said reclined position, said first guiding meansincluding an intermediate coordinating link pivotally mounted adjacentits forward end on said support, a link pair pivotally connected to saidintermediate coordinating link adjacent the rearward end thereof and tosaid support, said link pair including first and second links pivotallyconnected at a knee pivot and having a position of alignment with eachother, and means for moving said first and second links out of saidposition of alignment during said first movement phase.

13. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including aa first constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement between said intermediate, tilted sitting position andsaid reclined position, said second guiding means including a stationarylink, movable links including said seat and back-rest and a lostmotioninterconnection between said back-rest and one of said movable links ofsaid second guide means efiective to delay the operative connection ofsaid back-rest with said one movable link of said second guide meansduring the initial tilting movement of said back-rest in said firstmovement phase.

14. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement between said intermediate, tilted sitting position andsaid reclined position, and releasable locking means engaging said firstguide means and controlled from said back-rest, said locking means beingreleasable during the initial reclining movement of said back-restrelative to said seat in said first movement phase and serving as asequencing arrangement for establishing the operation of said first andsecond guide means in the order named.

15. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement between said intermediate, tilted sitting position andsaid reclined position, said second guiding means including a stationarylink, movable links including said seat and back-rest and a lost motioninterconnection between said back-rest and one of said movable links ofsaid second guide means effective to delay the operative connection ofsaid back-rest With said one movable link of said second guide meansduring the initial reclining movement of said back-rest in said firstmovement phase, and releasable locking means engaging said first guidemeans and controlled from said back-rest, said locking means beingreleasable during said initial reclining movement of said back-rest insaid first movement phase and serving with said lost motioninterconnection as a sequencing arrangement for establishing theoperation of said first and second guide means in the order named.

16. A reclining chair comprising a support, body supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining move ment respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate titlted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement between said intermediate tilted sitting position andsaid reclined position, said first guide means including said support asa stationary link thereof and movable links including an intermediatecoordinating link, said second guiding means including said intermediatecoordinating link as the stationary link thereof, movable linksincluding said seat and back-rest and a lost motion interconnectionbetween said back-rest and one of said movable links of said secondguide means effective to delay the operative connection of saidback-rest with said one movable link of said second guide means duringthe initial reclining movement of said back-rest in said first movementphase.

17. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbodysupporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position andsaid reclined position, said first guide means including said support asa stationary link thereof and movable links including an intermediatecoordinating link, said second guiding means including said intermediatecoordinating link as the stationary link thereof and movable linksincluding said seat and back-rest, and releasable locking means engagingsaid first guide means and controlled from said back-rest, said lockingmeans being releasable during an initial re: clining movement of saidback-rest relative to said seat in said first movement phase and servingas a sequencing arrangement for establishing the operation of said firstand second guide means in the order named.

18. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a baclorest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, and means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first movementphase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittingposition and for a second movement phase from said intermediate, tiltedsitting position to a reclining position, the mounting means including afirst constrained linkage providing a first guiding means for saidbody-supporting means during movement between 7 said sitting positionand said intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage providing a second guiding means for said body-supporting meansduring movement betweensaid intermediate, tilted sitting position andsaid reclined position, said first guide means including said support asa stationary linkthereof and movable links including an intermediatecoordinating link, said second guiding means including said intermediatecoordinating link as the stationary link thereof, movable linksincluding said seat and back-rest and a lost motion interconnectinbetween said back-rest and one of said movable links of said secondguide means effective to delay the operative connection of saidback-rest with said one movable link of said second guide means duringthe initial reclining movement of said back-rest in said first movementphase, and releasable locking means engaging said first guide means andcontrolled from said back-rest, said locking means being releasableduring said initial reclining movement of said back-rest in said firstmovement phase and serving with said lost motion interconnection as asequencing arrangement for establishing the operation of said first andsecond guide means in the order named.

19. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a backrest and seat adapted to be mounted on said support forreclining and inclining movement respectively, means movably mountingsaid body-supporting means on said support for a first movement phasefrom a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position andfor a second movement phase from said intermediate, til-ted sittingposition to a reclining position, the mounting means including a firstconstrained linkage for guiding said body-supporting means duringmovement between said sitting position and said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and a second constrained linkage for guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said intermediate, tiltedsitting position and'said reclining position, saidf first linkageincluding said support as a stationary link thereof, an in: termediatecoordinating link and movable links including a pair of linksserving asa rear guide means, said pair of links being pivotally connectedtogetherat a knee pivot, means pivotally mounting one of said links ofsaid pair on said support and means pivotal-1y connecting the other ofsaid links of said pair to said intermediate coordinating link, saidsecond linkage including said intermediate coord-inating link as thestationary link thereof and said seat'and back-rest as movable linksthereof and means'operatively connecting said intermediate coordinatinglink to said body-supporting means, a leg-rest, and means operativelyconnected to said body-supporting means and to said leg-rest for movingsaid leg-rest into an elevated leg-supporting position in responseto:the movement of said body-supporting means into said intermediate,tilted sitting position.

20. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat adapted to be mounted on .said supportfor reclining and inclining movement respectively, means movablymounting said body-supporting means on said support for a first move-.ment phase from a sitting position to an intermediate,

tilted sitting position and for a second movement phase from saidintermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, themounting means including a first con-' strained linkagefor guiding saidbody-supporting means during movement between said sitting position andsaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second constrainedlinkage for guiding said body-supporting means during movement betweensaid intermediate, tilted sitting position and said reclining position,and rear guiding means as part of one of said constrained linkages andmovement of said body-supporting means into said intermediate, tiltedsitting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,615,497 'Luck-hardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,746,520 Ducrot May 22, 1956FOREIGN PATENTS v 691,437 Germany May 27, 1930 724,643 7 Great BritainFeb. 23, 1955 545,314 Canada Aug. 27, 1957 812,897 Great Britain May 6,1959

8. A RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT, BODY-SUPPORTING MEANSINCLUDING A BACK-REST AND SEAT ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FORRECLINING AND INCLINING MOVEMENT RESPECTIVELY, AND MEANS MOVABLYMOUNTING SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT FOR A FIRST MOVEMENTPHASE FROM A SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILED SITTING POSITIONAND FOR A SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTINGPOSITION TO A RECLINING POSITION, THE MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRSTCONSTRAINED LINKAGE FOR GUIDING SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS DURINGMOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID SITTING POSITION AND SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTEDSITTING POSITION AND A SECOND CONSTRAINED LINKAGE FOR GUIDING SAIDBODY-SUPPORTING MEANS DURING MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTEDSITTING POSITION AND SAID RECLINING POSITION, AND REAR GUIDING MEANS ASPART OF ONE OF SAID CONSTRAINED LINKAGES AND OPERATIVE DURING ONE OFSAID MOVEMENT PHASES TO CAUSE